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Gathering Interest

Global FME licence server hosted on the cloud by Safe

Related products:FME Form
  • October 31, 2024
  • 7 replies
  • 214 views

david.cavrenne
Participant
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Currently, using a FME floating licence requires each individual organisation to set up a dedicated licence server : 

https://docs.safe.com/fme/html/FME-Form-Documentation/FME-Form-Admin-Guide/FMEInstallation/About_Floating_Licenses.htm

The setup of such a licence server is, per se, not very complicated, but frequently involves discussions / challenges wrt setup of a dedicated VM / re-use of an existing VM, security on the opening of ports, etc.., which also often require the involvement of a tech profile (e.g. system administrator).

Wouldn’t it be easier to have a global licence server hosted on the cloud, and managed directly by Safe, which could be accessed without any specific tech challenges by all individual FME instances ?

If some organisations still prefer to have an internal licence server, it could also be interesting to allow both options : a licence server managed by the organisation itself or the global Safe licence server.

7 replies

LizAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • January 3, 2025
NewOpen

LizAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • April 5, 2025
OpenArchived

NickAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • April 30, 2025
ArchivedGathering Interest

NickAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • April 30, 2025

Thanks for the thoughts around licensing and floating license servers. We’re starting to explore some ideas around updating workflows around all types of licensing internally. Appreciate the input so far, and we’d love to hear any other feedback anyone else has around it!


NickAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • August 21, 2026
The following idea has been merged into this idea:

All the votes have been transferred into this idea.

NickAtSafe
Safer
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  • Safer
  • August 21, 2026
The following idea has been merged into this idea:

All the votes have been transferred into this idea.

j.botterill
Evangelist
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  • Evangelist
  • August 24, 2026

Having a global license server would require an organisation to whitelist/trust the URL URLs Used by FME and Safe Software – FME Support Center the considerations must provide an IT management choice….

  • cloud host
  • identity services
  • DNS resolution, static, ranges?

The benefits of this idea are great, with a centrally managed cloud license host:

  • No Windows/Linux license server to patch and maintain.
  • No FlexLM service monitoring, backups, or DR planning.
  • Reduced risk of licensing outages caused by local server failures.
  • Easier for remote and hybrid worker
  • Fewer internal servers requiring hardening and vulnerability management.
  • Cloud licensing may simplify: Temporary users, Consultant, External partners

The downsides of license.safe.com cloud licensing endpoint

  • Internet access is required, dependent. An internet outage will impact licensing, checking out licenses will be adopted as a work around… especially for operation sites with limited connectivity
  • Proxy configuration is required and may prevent start
  • Outbound firewall rules are required - SSL inspection devices may interfere with communications.